Process of puddling iron.



No. 659,698. Patented Oct. l6, I900. J. P. RUE.

PROCESS OF PUDDLING IRON.

(Application filed Mar. 13, 1900.)

2 Sheets8heet I.

(No Model.)

PROCESS DDLING IRON.

(Application e a 13, 1900.)

No. 659,698. Patented Oct. l6, I900.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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UNTTEo STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES P. ROE, OF POTTSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

PROCESS OF PUDDLING IRON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 659,698, dated October 16, 1900.

Application filed March 13, 1900.

To to whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES P. ROE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pottstown, in the county of Montgomery and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and usefullmprovementsinProcessesof Puddling Iron; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to the art of puddling iron; and it has for its object to produce a better quality of product at a reduced cost.

The process of puddling iron consists, essentially, in the removal of most of the carbon and silicon and part of the phosphorus and sulfur from cast-iron while molten in the presence of suitable cinder and gases of the proper composition and temperature by active agitation. The agitation of the molten metal has been almost exclusively eifected by the most exhausting manual exertion, although to a limited extent mechanical means have been employed to assist in the agitation of the molten metal. According to myinventiou I convert pig-iron into wrought-iron by causing a mixed charge of molten castiron and cinder to flow back and forth in the presence of hot gases and abruptly arresting the flow of the charge before each change in direction till the iron comes to nature and then continuing the back-and-forth movement and abrupt stoppages of the charge until the particles of purified iron are compressed and solidified into a mass.

In carrying out my processl providea hearth having chimneys at each end and adapted to receive the heated gases from fire-chambers arranged, preferably, at each side and midway the length of the hearth and having its bottom, sides, and ends formed of any suitable highly-refractory material covered with oxid of iron and protected by a water-backing. The hearth is mounted so as to be oscillated by any preferred mechanism and suitable charging-openings are formed therein. The hearth is charged with molten iron,'and oxid of ironsuch as roll-scale, squeeze!- scale, or iron ore-is added to form cinder and combine with the carbon in the iron.

serial No. 8,551.

(No specimens.

The hearth is then oscillated, so as to cause the iron and cinder to flow by their own gravity from end to end of the hearth, which is of such a length as to prevent the bath of metal covering the whole of it at any one time. As the molten mass descends on the hearth the lower stratu m is retarded by the friction with the bottom, while the upper stratum breaks over it in waves, thus constantly and rapidly exposing different parts of the bath to the influences of the gases and thoroughly mixing the cinder and iron, while at the same time the particles of the molten mass are constantly changing their positions with respect to each other, and therefore they are better capable of reacting on each other and the time required to effect the necessary change in the iron is materially shortened. When the metal arrives at the lower end, its forward motion is suddenly arrested, producing a most violent agitation, thus materially increasing the reactions. The lower end of the hearth is then elevated, the operations being repeated till the iron comes to nature. The agitation having been violent and thorough and all parts of the charge being Worked alike, the product is uniform and the process of short duration. After the iron has come to nature the angle of inclination is increased, so that the plastic mass rolls or slides down with considerable velocity, and by its impact with the ends of the hearth is compressed and solidified. When the heat has come to nature and been solidified, as described, the mass is projected out by its own momentum through a suitable doorway formed in the end of the hearth, the velocity being obtained from any necessary angle of the hearth. The doorway is then closed, the hearth recharged, and the process repeated. During the process the necessary temperature is maintained by the admission of hot gases.

I have described the iron and cinder as supplied to the hearth in a molten condition, the former direct from the blast-furnace, and that is the preferred condition; but I may supply either the iron or cinder, or both, in their solid state to the hearth and melt the same therein, and obviously the iron oxid may be formed in the hearth by oxidation of the iron.

Referring to the drawings, in which sim ila-r 1 letters refer to similar parts throughout all the views, A represents a trough formingthe hearth of the furnace, which is supported by suitable hollow trunnions a on the walls I) of the foundation, and B. fire-chambers ar- 5 ranged at each side of the hearth and discharging the products of combustion thereint-o through the trunnions a, from which they escape through the chimneys G. Suitable openings 0 are. formed each end through I besides of the hearth, through which molten metal and iron. oXid is charged: to the hearth, said openings being provided with suitable doors to. close the. same- The trough forming the hearth of the furnace is preferably made double for the circulation of water therebetween or of a. series of pipes with water passing through them inorder to protect the material forming the bottom proper from. melting through, said bottom and the sides and ends being made of any suitable. highly-refractory material.

The hearth may be oscillated by the rack d from the pressure-cylinder T), gearing with a wheel E on one of the trunnions a or by any other preferred means. I

F represents doors at the ends of thehearth, through which the finished product is discharged.

Gr represents 1- beams secured along the sides of the trough A at its bottom to stiffen the same.v

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, iS.-

'lhe hereinbefore-described process of puddl-i ng iron which consists in causing a mixed charge of molten cast-iron and cinder to flow back and forth iinl the presence of hot gases and abruptty arresting the fizow of the charge before each changeiu direction unttiltheiron comes. to! Il:&i'l']ll",.3ifld then; continuing the baek-arzd-forth movement and abrupt stoppagesiof the charge untiltheiparticles of purified iron are compressed and solidified into a ILL/NS. I

lit testimony whereof I atiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES P. R0 E. Witnesses:

HARRY S. CAMPBELL, .INo. R. Bmccs. 

